EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR’S REPORT Without a doubt, 2013 will be remembered for the scale of international touring that the Company undertook, and the great many newfound relationships around the world that this touring has engendered.
Anne Dunn Portrait: Ben Symons
It is one of the greatest delights of such touring to be able to spend time with young dancers in other countries and for our dancers to share their skills and knowledge. There is a real sense of what it means to be cultural ambassadors for Australia and those genuine skills and cultural exchanges round out the excitement of touring in a very meaningful way. Indeed the role of the dancers in the Company was a hallmark of much of 2013. Not only did they grace the stages beautifully and win awards for their performances, they also undertook the delivery of education workshops and schools programs with equal energy. Sydney Dance Company has been guided in the structure of our education and outreach programs via the great knowledge and skill of the Education Advisory Group and my sincere thanks goes to all of them for their efforts, consideration and time. In 2013 our education programs included our first ever primary schools performance, as well as secondary school matinees, workshops, artist intensives for young dancers and school holiday dance programs for students aged 8-18. In 2013 Sydney Dance Company reached over 7400 school students. 2013 marked the first audition process for Sydney Dance Company’s inaugural Pre-Professional Year intake. With over 260 applicants for 25 places it was an auspicious start for a new program and we are looking with excitement to see the course unfold in 2014. A great deal of work has been put into constructing a unique and valuable curriculum which will maximise student’s learning and exposure to the world of professional contemporary dance. The course is a wonderful step in the development of Sydney Dance Company and strengthens the Company’s commitment to the development of the art form. In addition to those auditions the Company also conducted dancer auditions, which were once again highly subscribed with 264 applicants. One of the innovative programs piloted in 2013 was Sydney Dance Company’s first crowd funding campaign. The Keep Holly Dancing campaign was constructed and delivered in partnership with The Works and has resulted in Holly Doyle joining the Company as a full time dancer.
SYDNEY DANCE COMPANY ANNUAL REPORT 2013
Over the course of 2013 Sydney Dance Company was very proud to be nominated for two Helpmann Awards and to be awarded Australian Dance Awards for Most Outstanding Choreography for Rafael Bonachela’s 2 One Another, Most Outstanding Female Dancer for Charmene Yap and Most Outstanding Performance by a Company. Additionally the Company was delighted to receive two Greenroom Awards for 2 One Another including Best Ensemble and Best Female Dancer for Natalie Allen. A sincere thank you to the many people who have generously given their time and expertise to Sydney Dance Company. Volunteers work with us in many capacities from supporting our administration team, to organising events and functions and supplying valuable expertise and guidance to Management and the Board. Our Ambassadors, Dance Noir Committee and our Education Advisory Group have each given time, care and a huge amount of experience and expertise. Together they have enabled the Company to continue to grow and achieve. The talented team at Sydney Dance Company continue to impress and inspire me with their enthusiasm, creativity and hard work which contributes enormously to the success of the business and the performances. Thanks must go to Chair Andrew Messenger and the entire Board of Sydney Dance Company for their support, work and leadership across 2013. I would like to take this opportunity to thank Julian Knights for his leadership as Chair of Sydney Dance Company (Sydney Dance Company Board 2006 – 2013, Chair April 2008 – April 2013) across a period of change and development in the organisation. His guidance has been much appreciated. The many collaborators which Sydney Dance Company has worked with across 2013, both on and off the stage, have created a sense of a healthy industry which is at its best and most satisfying when the capacities of multiple organisations are brought together to create magic for audiences. It never fails to thrill me to sit in a theatre, watching the dancers on stage, and participate in the shared responses they generate from audiences. Thank you to our audiences, your support and appreciation is the backbone of all we do. Anne Dunn Executive Director
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